The Kimblee thing is my fault. I actually forgot that Edward told him he was here, but I actually spent some time picking over how to have him react to the man otherwise. You have to keep in mind that he's in no physical shape to go around picking fights with people right now, and being outright rude is asking for people to respond in kind.

Yes, these interactions have been over the network, but that doesn't mean he's not keeping an eye to the future. I'll need to be clearer with the meanings behind his emotional responses in the future as I didn't think it could be interpreted that he was treating either like an acquaintance he was on good terms with as I meant to convey his suspicious caution with Kimblee, and his vague alarm and bewilderment with Envy, who happened to roll in at a good time to catch him with his guard down. Especially given Envy's shocking civility.

I didn't intend to downplay any of these things, but Alphonse is mostly being cautious and trying to get information before doing anything, because that's the pitfall that always catches him and his brother out when they do things and he's fully aware of that. He also knows that he's no longer as easily fixed as he used to be. Thus, I apologize for not being clear enough, and will remedy this in the future.